NONAM puts on the Orange Shirt for a day in Zurich
Following the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which was held on September 30, NONAM is organizing its third edition of Orange Shirt Day this Saturday, October 5 in Zurich. The opportunity for the museum to address the difficult issue of residential schools, one of the darkest chapters of Canada’s colonization policy towards First Nations, Métis and Inuit populations.
Since 2021, every year on September 30, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is organized in Canada. Also known as Orange Shirt Day, this day aims to promote reconciliation efforts with Canada’s Indigenous peoples while commemorating the history of residential schools. A history that still has a significant impact on Indigenous communities across the country. “It’s the fourth year for Truth and Reconciliation Day in Canada and it’s the third time we’re honoring that day at the NONAM.”, mentions Heidrun Löb, Director and Chief Curator of the North American Native Museum based in Zurich, Switzerland. “It’s an important day for us at the NONAM to talk about the residential schools.”
Established in 1831, residential schools were made compulsory by the Canadian authorities in 1920. It is estimated that 150 000 First Nations and Inuit children attended these schools between 1831 and 1998, when the last of these establishments was closed by the Canadian authorities.
Isolated from their family, forbidden from practicing their language and culture, the children also received a very limited school education from a staff mainly made up of religious people. Many children suffered sexual abuse and physical violence. Tuberculosis, mistreatment and suicide led to significant mortality: it is estimated that 4 000 to 6 000 children died in these boarding schools.
In 2021, Canada went through a scandal when more than 1 000 bodies of children were found buried in unmarked graves in British Columbia and Saskatchewan residential schools sites. The shock wave traveled throughout the country and extended beyond its borders. In Switzerland, many people discovered the existence and history of these boarding schools through this news. “We realized that people were definitely interested in this subject that they actually had no clue about.”, remembers Heidrun Löb. “Whatever we offered in terms of guided tours or talks, people asked questions on that matter.”
The program proposed by the NONAM will therefore allow the public to learn more about residential schools through the various events organized around this topic.
First, a guided tour of “Move. Indigenous Nations in Motion” will allow guests to (re)discover the exhibition launched on May 3 and dedicated to the Native American, Inuit and Métis origins of sports that we practice regularly in our societies. Kayaks, snowshoes, surfboards and even bow, all these disciplines have roots in American Indigenous cultures. A great way of reestablishing the names of Indigenous athletes and paying tribute to them, particularly with regard to younger generations. “It’s about supporting Indigenous young athletes and promoting Indigenous sports events. And it’s also about how sports can contribute to healing as well.”
If the exhibition is mainly focused on the issue of sport, NONAM has not forgotten the theme of the day and will present a section dedicated to residential schools and calls to action.
NONAM also offers two short films to learn more about residential schools. Christmas at Moose Factory, directed in 1971 by Alanis Obomsawin, is a documentary filmed in a residential school in northern Ontario which tells the daily life of Cree children through their drawings. More contemporary, Remembering the Forgotten Children – Muskowekwan Residential School by Graham Constant delves into the heart of this residential school sadly known across the Atlantic and gives voice to the survivors.
To debate furthermore, NONAM has invited Patrick Wittmann, Canadian Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, and Sucker Creek Cree Nation Lewis Cardinal. Communicator and educator, Cardinal is well known across the Atlantic for his work and commitment to his community for which he has earned numerous distinctions and awards.
An event not to be missed, as this discussion will shed some light on the impact of residential schools on the present of Indigenous communities and the prospects for a necessary reconciliation and reparation.
To be discovered at NONAM this Saturday, October 5. The detailed program of the day is available here: https://zuercher-museen.ch/museen/nordamerika-native-museum-nonam/orange-shirt-day-2024
Mirjana Binggeli, Polar Journal AG
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